Bathtub



sept. s, 1931. 1 BLQCH 1,821,959

' BATHQUB v Filed Oct. 23, 1929 2 Sheets- Sheet l sepf.s,1931-. LBLOCH 1,821,959

BATHTUB Filed 001;. 23. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY INVENTOR Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEON BLOCH, or CLEVELAND, omo

'BATHTUB Application led October 23, 1929. Serial No. 401,641.

and in which only the operating means for the valves are exposed.

A further object of the invention is tov provide a valve mechanism for use in connection with a comblnation tub 'and shower which is supported independent of the wall structure and in which the operating means for the valves extendthrough the wall of the tub and are operable from the exterior.

thereof, the tub and wall structure serving 2 to conceal all of the connections except the valve operating means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bathtub 'which is provided with means for supporting the hot and cold water supply valves andthe valve mechanism for diverting the flow of water to thel tub or to the shower, and which is so constructed and arranged that the valve mechanism may be removed from the tub as a unit.

Further and more limited objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation disclosing a portion of a bathtub with my improved iiXture secured thereto; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary yvertical sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are views showing a modification of my invention.

In modern bathrooms, the hot and cold water pipes are usually disposed within the wall structure and when a combinationv tub and shower is used, it is usually necessary to provide several openings in the wall structure in which the Valves for controlling ,j the supply of hot and cold water and the yvalve mechanism for diverting the flow of Water tu either the tub or shower are arranged. Such a construction is expensive in that it requires the use of several escutcheon plates and separate valve mechanisms and also detracts from the beauty of the bathroom.

It is therefore one of the ob'ects of this invention to eliminate these di culties and to provide a single valve mechanism for performing these functions which is supported on the tub and removable therefrom as avunit for the purpose of replacement or repalr.

. The invention consists in the novel features of construction andin the manner 0f arrangin and combining the various parts,

all .of W ich will be more fully described hereinafter and set'forth in the appended claims. Y

Referring now tothe drawings, reference character 1 designates the Wall of a bathtub which is provided adjacent its upper edge with an opening 2 which is preferably rectangular in shape and which is closed by a plate 3. That portion of the bathtubadjacent the plate 3` is slightly depressed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to provide a substantially flat surface. The uplper edge of the bathtub projects beyond t e front face of the wall structure as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. The outer surface of the wall 4 is usually covered with tile or some other suitable material. v-Attached lto the upper edge of the tub is a bracket 5 which 1s secured thereto by means of aV screw 6. Disposed behind the'opening 2 in the tub is a valve casin 6 which is supported by the bracket 5 an secured thereto by means of a screw 7 extending through an apertured flange 8 on the casing. Disposed'lbehind the wall structure arey a pair of pipes 9 and 10 through which hot and cold water are admitted to the valve casing. Unions 11 and 12 serve to connect these pipes to the casing. Also disposed within the wall structure is a pipe 13, one end ofgwhich connects with an openin inthe casing 6 by means of a union 14. he opposite end of the pipe 13 leads upwardly through the wall structure and is adapted forconnection with a pipe15 leading to the spout. When the hotA shower which is disposed so as to deliver into the tub. J

Leading from one side of the valve casing 6 is a pipe 15, one end of which is threadedly secured to 'an outlet opening in the casing and the opposite end of which projects through an opening in the escutcheon plate 3 and is exteriorly threaded. Arranged within the valve casing 6 are a pair of valves 16 and 17 which serve to control the supply of hot and cold water respectively and which are provided with stems 18 and 19 Ywhich extend through suitable stuffing boxes 20 and 21 respectively. Also arranged within the valve casing 6 is a .diverter valve mechanism which consists essentially of a member 22 to one side of which is secured the valve 23 and to the opposite side of which is secured a valve 24. The valve casing is shaped to provide the valve seats 25 and 26 against which the'valves 23 and 24 seat res ectively. The valve casin is also provide with an opening 1'5 whic communicates with the pipe 15 leading to the spout.

The escutcheon plate 3 is positioned over the opening 2 in the tub and IisV rovided.v

with suitable openings through w ich the valve stems 18 and 19 extend. The escutcheon'plate is also provided with Aan opening through which extends the valve stem 27 o f the dlverter valve which leads through a suitable stuin box 28. Y

A handle 29 1s secured over the valve stem 27 in any suitable manner. The valve stems 18 and 19 are provided with valve handles or operating members 18* and 19 respectively. By adjustin the position of the valve handles 18n an 19, the supply of hot and cold water may be regulated and controlled as desired. By turning the valve handle v29, the diverter valve ma be moved to divert the flow of Water to t e ipe 13, leading to the shower or to the pipe Il5 leading to the spout. Y

The escutcheon plate 3 is dis osed over the valve stems and is held in p ace by escutcheon holders 31, 32 and 33. The-spout 34 is threadedly secured to the projecting end of the pipe 15 and also serves to hold the escutcheon platein the said opening.

With the parts in the position shownv in Figs. 2 and- 3, the valve 23 is seated against the valve seat 25 and the valve 24 is. open,

' permitting the flow' of water, past the valve seat 26 and through the opening 15* tothe and. cold water'supply valves 16 are open, it .will be seen that the flow will be diverted toward the spout. When the diverter valve is moved to such a position, the valve 24 seats against the valve seat 26, flow through the spout 15 will be cut olf and communication will .be established between the interior ,modification of my of the valve casingpand pipe 13 leading to the shower.

Should it be necessary to remove the 'valve casing 6 for the lpurpose of replacing or repairing any of t e valves, the valve handles 18, 19'l and 29 may be removed. The escutcheon holders 31, 32 and 33 are then re- Vmoved 4and the spout 34 disconnected from the overflow opening is an overflow pipe 36..

Mounted inthe overilow escutcheon35 is a lever 36 to one end of which is secured a handle 37. Connected with the opposite end of the lever 36 is a flexible connection 38 which carries at its lower end a combination overflow and Waste valve.

When the valve casin -6 and its associated parts are remove from the casing access can be had to the overflow pipe 36 and the overflow valve and its connections may be removed through the opening 2 inv the tub, if desired.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 there is disclosed a invention in which the Valves for controllmg the supply of hot and cold Water and the valve mechanism for diverting the flow of water to either the tub or to the shower is supported on the tub in a horizontal osition. y In this form of the invention, t e reference character 40 designates a bathtub which is provided at one end -with anl overhanging horizontally 'disposed portion 41 having therein an opening 42 which is preferably rectangular in shape and is normall closed by an escutcheon plate 43. The e ge of the bathtub pro- 'jects beyond the front face of the wall structure, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4. Attached to the edge o'f the tub is a bracket 44 which is secured thereto by means of a screw l45.

Disposed below the opening `42 in the tub is a valve casing 46 which is supported by 'the pipe 52 leads upwardly through the wall structure and is adapted for connection with the shower whlch is disposed so as to deliver into the tub. Leading from one side of the valve casin 46 is a spout 54 which leads through thegivall ofthe tub and is threadedly secured to the valve casing and comnplate 43 an ar'e operable from -thexex'terior `thereof by means of valve handles` 58fand 59. l The diverter valve stem and is covering said openinfr.

also rejects through the escutcheon plate allso operable from the exterior thereof b means ofthe valve handle 61. The es- `cute eon plate is held in place by escutcheon holders 62, 63 and 64. The operation of this form of my invention is identical with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3 inclusive. The esctucheon plate 43 is readily removable to enable the entire unit to 'be removed through the opening 42.

It will now be clear that I have provided a bathroom fixture whichfwil'l accomplish. the objects of the invention as hereinbefore stated. Varioushaiiges may be made in the details of construction as well as in the manner of securing the various parts in position without departing from the spirit of my invention. My invention is equally useful in connection with a bathtub in which no shower connection is provided. In such a case, however, the diverter valvemecha-l nisin may be omitted. i It will therefore be understood that my invention is limited only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my inventiomuvhat I claim is? 1. A lbathroom fixture including a tub and a pair of valves for controlling vthesupply of hot and cold water, and a valve for diverting the flow to ,a tub or to a shower, said fixture being supported on the wall of a bathtub, said tub having an opening-in the wall thereof through which sa-id valves are accessible, and a removable escutcheon plate 2. In a bathroom fixture of the ycharacter described, the combination of a bathtub having an opening in the wall thereof, a valve mechanism arranged behind said opening, and com the supply o hot and cold water to the tub, an escutcheon plate'covering said open-A -'ing,1.lthe operating means .for said valve mechanism extending through said esciitch- 1 eon platejand 4operable from the exterior thereof.

3.- In a bathroom fixture of the''character described, the combination of a bathtub, one end of' which projects within an opening "in a wall structure and having an opening in the Wall thereof, a valve mechanism carried by said tub, hot and cold water pipes leading and57 which rojectthrough the Aby said tub, a p1 rising means for controllingv `tendin through said escutcheon to said valve mechanism, means for controlling'the fiow` of hot and cold water, an escutcheon plate lcovering the opening in said tub, theoperating means for each of said valves extending through said escutch- 'a Wall structure and having an opening-in the Wall thereof, a valve mechanism carried mechanism to s ower, a pipe leading from t said valve' mechanism to a spout delivering:

to said tub, hot and cold water pipes ,leading to said valve mechanism, means forv con- 'trolling the fiow ofl hot and cold water,

means for diverting the flow to the shower or to the spout, an escutcheonplate covering'l` the opening in said tub, the operating means for each of said valves extending through said escutcheon plate and'operable 'from the exterior thereof, the valve mechanism being removable as a unit through the opening in the. tub.

5. A bathroom fixture includingl a valve -casing and a bathtub, one wallofwhic'h projects through an opening in the Wall perable from the exteiq'io'r ple leading from said valve structure, the tub having an opening therein l adjacent the upper edgethereof, an escutch-A eon plate covering said opening, a spout carried by said escutcheon plate, a pipe connecting said spout andNaIVe-casing, a pipe leading from said valve casing to a shower, 'm0

hot and cold Water suppl?l pipes leading to said valve casing, valve r controlling the supply of hot and cold Water to said casing,

a diverter valve for diverting the flow to f the tub or to the shower, thel operating means for said valves and diverter valve extending through said escutcheon plate rand f operable from the exterior-thereof. 5

6. A bathtub having an opening therein adjacent the up er edge thereofya removable escutcheon p ate secured over said open.- ing, a valve casing arranged behind said opening and accessible therethrough when the escutcheon plate-isl removed, hot and cold water supply pipes leadingto said valve casing, valves for controlling the supply of hot and cold water, the operating means for said hot land cold water supply valves explate and '7; A bathtub having an opening therein adjacent the upper edge thereof, anescutclieon plate removably secured over said opening, a spout connected on` said escutcheon plate, avalve casin disposed behind said opening and accessi le therethrough when the escutcheon plate is removed, hot and cold water supply pipes leading to saidvalve i casing, a pipe connecting said valve casing and spout, valves for controlling the supply of hot and cold water, the operating means i for said hot and cold water supply Valves extending throu h said escutcheon plate and operable from t e exterior thereof.

8. A bathtub having an opening therein' adjacent the upper edge thereof, an escutch-4 eon plate removably secured over said opening, a spout connected on said` escutcheon plate, a valve casin disposed behind said opening and accessi le therethrough when the escutcheon plate is removed, hot and cold water supply pipes leadinor to said valve casing, a pipe connecting lsaidD valve casing `and spout, a pipe leading from said valve casing to a shower, valves for controlling the `supply o f. hot and cold water, diverter valve mechanism for diverting the flow to the shower or to the spout, the'operating means for said hot and cold water sup ly valves and for said diverter valve meclianism extending through said escutcheon plate and operable from the exterior thereof, said ,valve casing being removable through the opening in said tub when said escutcheon plate is removed.

A 9..A bathtub havingtan overflow opening therein an escutcheon plate removably secured over said opening and having a spout -nection with a pipe leading to said spout,

thereon, a valve casing lsupported byI saidI tub and-disposed behind said second opening, said valve casing. having a pair ofopeningstherein adapted' for connection with. hot and cold water supply pipes respectivef ly, said casing having a second pair of openings therein one of which is adapted for connection with a pipe leading `to a shower and theother of which is vadapted for convalves for controlling the supply of hot and cold water, a diverter" valve for diverting the flow to the spout. or to the shower, the

operating means for said hot and cold water supply valves and for said diverter' valve extending through said escutcheon plate and operable from the exteriorthereof.

10. A bathtub having an overfiow o ening therein, an escutcheon'plate remova ly secured over said opening and having a spout thereon, a valve casing supported by said tub and dis osed behindsaid opening, said valve casing aving a pair of openings therein adapted for connection with. hot and cold water supply pipesV respectively, said casing having a. second pair of openings therein one of which is adapted for connection with a pipe leading to a shower and the other of which is adapted for connection with a pipe -leading to said spout, valves for controlling the supply of hot-and cold water, a diverter valve for divertingthe flow to the `s out or tothe shower, theloperating means orsaid hot and cold water supply valves and for said diverter valve/extending through s aid escutcheon plate "and operable from the ,eX-.

a5 terior thereof, the valve casing being r'emovable through said second opening as a unit when said escutcheon plate is removed.

11. The combination with the wall of a bathroom, of'a tub, one wall of which extends within the wall structure, said 'tub having an opening therein adjacent the upper edge thereof, an escutcheon plate removably secured over said opening,',a spout carried by said escutcheon plateand adapted 'to deliver into said tub, -a shower head projectin from the wall structure and adapted to deliver into said tub, ya valve casin carried by said tub and disposed behin said opening so as to be accessible when said escutcheon plate is removed, a'pair of pipes disposed within the wall structure. one of whlch connects the valve casing with said spou't and the other of which connects the valve casin with said shower, hot and cold water supp yl pipes leading into said casing, valves for controlling the supply of hot and cold water to said casing, a diverter' for diverting the flow of water to the shower or to the tub, the operating means for said valves extending through said escutcheon plate and operable :from the exterior thereof. .t 12. In a bathroom xtre, the combination of a bathtub and shower, a valve casing l carried by said tub, a pair of valves arranged withinsaid valve casing for controlling the suppl and a diverter va 've' arranged within said lvalve casing for diverting-` the flow to the `said valve mec anism yextendmg through said plate and operable from, the exterior thereof.

95 of hot and cold water,

means for A I 14. In a bathroomfxture, ythe combination of a tub 'and shower and pipe connections concealed within v,the Wall structure for supplying water thereto, of valve mechanism carried by said tub for diverting the flow to the tub'or to the shower, an opening in said. tub through which said valve mechanism 1s accessible, a' removablev plate covering said opening, the operating-means for said valve mechanism extending through said plate 'and operable from the exterior thereof.l g

15. In a bathroom fixture, the combination `of a tub and shower and pipev connectiols r concealed within the wall structure for'supplying water thereto, a valve mechamsm supportedV independent of the wall structure forv controlling the supplytof'hot and cold water and for diverting the flow to the tub or to the shower, the valve operating means extending through the tub and operable from the exterior thereof, the tub and Wall structure concealing all of the connec-- tions except the valve operating means, an opening in said tub through which said valve mechanism is accessible, a removable plate covering said opening, the operating means for said valve mechanism extending through said plate and operable from the exterior thereof. l

16. A bathroom fixture including a tub and a pair of valves for controlling the supply of hot and cold Water, said fixture eing supported on the wall of the bathtub, said tub having an opening therein through which said valves are accessible, and a re- -inovable escutclieoii plate covering said tion of tion of a tub opening.

17. In a bathroom fixture of the chai'- acter described, the combination of a bathtub having an opening in the Wall thereof, c

a valve nieehaiiismarranged behind said opening and including means for controlling ythe supply of hot and cold Water to the tub, and an escutclieon plate secured over said opening, the opening in the Wall of' and valve mechanism .as to permit removal -plate and operable from the exterior thereof, the opening in said tub and said valves of the same through said opening when the escutcheon plate is removed.

In testimony Wliereof,-I hereunto afx my signature.

LEON BLOCH.

the tub and the valve mechanism being of such size as to permit the removal thereof through the opening as a unit.

18. A b athroom fixture including a tub and a pair of valves for controlling the supply of hot and cold Water thereto, said Vtub having an opening therein through which said valves are accessible, and a removable escutcheon plate secured over said opening, said pair of valves being removable through said opening When the escutcheon plate is removed.

19. In a bathroom fixture, the combina- Wall structure for supplying Water thereto, said tub having a flattened portion adjacent one end thereof which is disposed at an angle to the Wall of said tub, a valve mechanism carried by said tub and consisting of a pair of valves for controlling the fiow of' hot and cold Water and a diverter valve for diverting the How to either the tub or the shower, the fiatd portion of said tub having an open herein, an escutcheon plate detachably 20. In a bathroom fixture, the combinaand shower and pipe connections concealed Within the Wall structure for supplying vvater thereto, said tub having a fiattened. portion adjacent one end thereof being so proportioned y 

